Road ID® & JDRF

Road ID is excited to be an Official Partner of JDRF Bag of Hope and the ID of choice for Rufus, the Bear with Diabetes®.
As a longtime supporter of JDRF we are committed to providing the type 1 diabetes (T1D) community with high-quality identification products that
are both stylish and versatile. Rufus® knows the important role that his Road ID can play in an emergency situation and we hope you do too.

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) often develops in children, adolescents and young adults, so it's sometimes called "juvenile diabetes." However,
it is diagnosed in adults just as frequently - 85 percent of people living with T1D are adults. Type 1 diabetes is not contagious; you cannot
catch T1D from someone who has it. Researchers continue to study how and why T1D occurs, and believe both genetic factors and environmental
triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and, at present, there is
no cure. People living with T1D manage its challenges and complications with diet, exercise, and insulin.

What are the symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D)?

T1D symptoms can occur suddenly and include one or more of the following:

Extreme thirst

Frequent urination

Drowsiness, lethargy

Sugar in urine

Sudden vision changes

Increased appetite

Fruity, sweet or wine-like odor on breath

Heavy, labored breathing

Stupor, unconsciousness

If you think your child has diabetes, call a doctor immediately and drink fluids WITHOUT SUGAR, if able to swallow,
to prevent dehydration.

Myths vs Facts

myth:
Taking insulin cures type 1 diabetes.

fact:
Taking insulin keeps people with T1D alive, but does not cure the disease. While progress
toward finding a cure has been substantial, there is still no cure for type 1 diabetes.

myth:
Type 1 diabetes is caused by obesity, or eating too much sugar.

fact:
While obesity has been identified as one of the "triggers" for type 2 diabetes, it has no relation to the cause of type
1 diabetes. Scientist do not yet know exactly what causes T1D, but they believe that both genetic and environmental factors are
involved. Eating too much sugar is not a factor.

myth:
People with type 1 diabetes should never eat sweets.

fact:
Limiting sweets will help people with T1D keep their blood sugar under control, but, with the advice from their doctor
or nutritionist, sweets can fit into their meal plan, just as they would for people without diabetes. And there are
times when sweets are a must: if their blood sugar drops too low, sweets (juice or soda) can be the surest way
to raise and prevent the onset of hypoglycemia.

myth:
People with type 1 diabetes can't participate in athletics

fact:
Physical exercise is important for everyone's health, and is especially important for people living with type 1 diabetes.
Regular exercise helps lower blood sugar levels and keep them in the target range. There are countless examples
of athletes who have had great success, from Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Gary Hall to ice hockey great Bobbe Clarke.